‘How can he take an 11-year-old child and do what he’s probably done to her?’ – Eileen Schorpen, Carlie Brucia’s grandmother

The anguished mom of an 11-year-old Florida girl whose abduction was caught on camera made another emotional plea yesterday for her daughter’s safe return as cops said the prime suspect is not cooperating in the case.

Carlie Brucia’s mother, Susan Schorpen, choked back tears as she appealed to the public for help and asked the media to keep airing images of her daughter’s face and the suspect’s vehicle.

“I need my daughter home. She’s a very, very important part of this family and community.”

Carlie was abducted while walking home Sunday night from a friend’s house in a crime that is every parent’s worst nightmare.

When Carlie’s grandmother, Eileen Schorpen spoke, she railed against the suspect. “A man of that age, how can he take an 11-year-old child and do what he’s probably done to her?” she said.

“He’s more than sick. If I had my way, I won’t even tell you what I’d do to him.”

Sarasota Sheriff Bill Balkwill said the suspect, Joseph Smith, 37 – who was taken into custody Tuesday after cops got a tip that he was the man in the video – has been dodging questions about Carlie’s disappearance.

He added that cops have found strong evidence linking the unemployed auto mechanic to the crime.

In the video from a car wash surveillance camera, a man sporting tattoos on both forearms and clad in a mechanic’s shirt with a name patch is seen snatching away the sixth-grader.

Cops said Smith, formerly of Brooklyn, matches the blurry image on the tape.

Smith, who has a lengthy rap sheet including convictions for aggravated battery and heroin possession, “is not cooperating with us at this time,” said Balkwill.

“He’s not answering any of our questions that we’ve asked.”

Balkwill also asked the public to look for a pink backpack Carlie had with her when she was snatched and to see if they could recall seeing a Buick Century station wagon similar to Smith’s car.

Smith, who has not yet been charged in Carlie’s kidnapping, is being held for violating his probation on a cocaine violation.

Anyone with information regarding the kidnapping is asked to call (888) 362-6237.